Bridgeport Man Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearm

Bridgeport Man Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearm

Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOHNATHAN REYES, also known as “Whitey,” 24, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Warren W. Eginton in Bridgeport to 24 months of imprisonment, followed by two years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm.

This matter stems from an FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force into narcotics trafficking activity and violent criminal activity in and around the Trumbull Gardens housing complex in Bridgeport. On December 18, 2013, a federal grand jury returned an 18-count indictment charging 14 individuals, including Ronell Hanks, also known as “Biz” and “Ace,” with various narcotics and firearms offenses.

When Hanks was arrested on December 5, 2013, task force officers seized from him an Apple iPad that contained numerous videos, including three that depicted both Hanks and REYES at the Bridgeport Shooting Range firing a long gun and a handgun. The investigation revealed that the videos were recorded on February 27, 2013.

In February 2007, REYES was convicted in state court of first degree burglary, reckless endangerment, risk of injury and possessing a pistol without having a permit. For these offenses he was sentenced to eight years of imprisonment, execution suspended after four years, and three years of probation.

It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

REYES has been detained since his arrest on May 1, 2014. On September 30, 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.

Hanks has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

This matter has been investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force, in coordination with the Bridgeport Police Department, Norwalk Police Department, Trumbull Police Department and Connecticut State Police Statewide Narcotics Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tracy Lee Dayton and Rahul Kale.